George Lee Markey III

Sanford, FL – George Lee Markey III gracefully departed this earth on Tuesday, July 1st, at the remarkable age of 96. Born on March 2, 1929, in Albany, GA, to the late Lois Curtis and George Lee Markey II, George lived a life defined by sharp intellect, unwavering principle, and an undeniable knack for knowing how to truly enjoy himself. With early jobs like helping run his father’s country store business and a memorable summer navigating the banana operations at United Fruit Company in Honduras, George's early years were a testament to his practical, hard-working mindset. He honed his exceptional logical skills through an Economics degree from Mercer University, where he was a proud Sigma Nu, and later through a master's degree in Mathematics (there was no such thing as a Computer Science degree yet) from Florida State. During his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he put his analytical mind to work by tracking data indicators for the Chemical Corps. His career journey that followed was as diverse as it was impactful. After his early days at Martin Company in Orlando, FL, he worked for Goodyear Aerospace in Akron, OH. The cold winters led him back to Florida, working for Honeywell in Saint Petersburg and then back to Martin Marietta in Orlando, where he was involved with the early development of the cellular phone. George's true passion for problem-solving shone brightest when he became a core member of Educational Computer Corp. in Orlando. As IT Director, he calmly oversaw the incredible evolution of modern computers, witnessing them shrink from room-filling giants to desk-sized marvels. Beyond the logic boards and computer screens, George and Donna, his beloved wife of 63 years, were both avid tennis players in their younger years, always up for a good rally. He even found time to breed Irish setters and invest in some local start-up companies, before it was considered to be “cool”. It was in the company of his four children that his fun-loving spirit truly took center stage. He mentored them on the importance of work ethic, financial responsibility, and a solid education, but also took them on meaningful family vacations each year. These trips, many of which included visits to his best friend Bill Huggins’ game room and outings to his stepmother Daisy Markey’s lake house in Albany, GA, were epicenters of joy, filled with competitive ping-pong matches, relaxing fishing excursions, and stories about George’s escapades that probably got better with age. A man of faith, George was a founding member of Sherwood Baptist Church and later a devoted member of First Baptist and College Park Baptist churches in Orlando. He leaves behind his cherished wife, Donna, his four children: Gail Louise Romain (Michael) of Savannah, GA, Lynne Marie Urice (Robert) of Debary, FL, Stephen Lee Markey of Key West, FL, Amy Diane Stewart (Gabe) of Meggett, SC, and four grandchildren: Dylan Urice, Logan Markey, Cameron James, and Sydney James. A private graveside ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 9th, at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park, FL. While George may no longer be here to offer a perfectly logical solution or challenge you to a game of tennis, his legacy of keen intellect, enduring love of his family, and a life lived with purpose and enjoyment will continue to inspire all who knew him. He truly proved that you can be brilliantly logical, but still know how to have a ridiculously good time.

George Lee Markey III

March 2, 1929 - July 1, 2025